Hey everyone. Today we're sewing a reversible duvet cover, and one extra-wide black and white fabric makes that big job so much simpler.
Here we go.
First, the fabric
This one is the Black And White Onion Rings Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard, from Free Spirit Fabrics.
What we know is right in its listing. It is cotton. The width of fabric is 108 inches. That is wide, y'all. Really wide.
The color story could not be clearer. It is black and white. The tags list circles, geometric circles, and onion rings. The tags also credit Kaffe Fassett.
Most folks reach for a wideback just for a quilt back. But a print this bold deserves to be seen on top of the bed, too.
The project: a reversible duvet cover
A duvet cover is a big fabric envelope for your insert. It protects the insert, washes easier, and changes the whole look of the bed fast.
Reversible means both sides are finished and pretty. Flip it over for a fresh look. Just like that.
Our example finishes at about 90 by 90 inches. That suits many queen inserts. But please measure your own insert first. Inserts vary more than folks expect.
Why does this fabric suit it? That 108-inch width is the whole reason. A queen panel needs about 91 inches across, cut size. Standard quilting cotton would need piecing to get there. This wideback gets there in one piece. No center seam. No pattern matching across a join. The rings just run clean and smooth, edge to edge.
Materials list
- 2 3/4 yards of Black And White Onion Rings Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard for the front
- 2 3/4 yards of a coordinating 108-inch wide cotton for the reverse side
- Your duvet insert, measured before you cut anything
- A long invisible zipper, buttons, or snaps for the bottom closure
- About 2 yards of twill tape or ribbon, cut into 8 short corner ties
- Matching thread, pins or clips, and a walking foot if you have one
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, mat, and iron
Brief steps
Step 1: Measure, then cut. Measure your insert across and down. Add 1 inch to each measurement for seam allowances. For a 90 by 90 inch insert, cut both fabrics at 91 by 91 inches. Take your time here. Big panels are awkward, not hard.
Step 2: Add the corner ties. Fold each short piece of twill tape in half. Pin one at each inside corner of the reverse panel, loop facing in. These tie to the insert corners later. They stop the insert from bunching up inside.
Step 3: Sew the envelope. Place the two panels right sides together. Pin well, every 6 to 8 inches. Sew around three sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance and a stitch length around 2.5. Leave the bottom side open for the closure. Backstitch at each end so those seams stay put.
Step 4: Finish the bottom. Install your zipper, buttons, or snaps along that open bottom edge. Follow the closure maker's directions for that part. Press the seams flat. Clip the corners at a diagonal, careful not to cut your stitches. Then turn the cover right side out through the opening and poke the corners out gently.
Step 5: Stuff and tie. Lay the cover flat. Place the insert on top. Tie the corner ties to the insert corners, then pull it all right side out. Shake it out, close the bottom, and fluff it on the bed.
Practical tips
Press before you cut. A wrinkle in a 108-inch panel can throw your measurement off. I learned that the hard way on a big backing once. Oh my goodness. Measure twice, cut once really is true on the big pieces.
Slow down on the long seams. These panels want to shift and drag off the table. Support the weight with a chair beside you. We're not reinventing the wheel here. Just feed it steady and let the machine do the work.
And here's your permission beat, as always. It does not have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic. If one ring sits a little cropped at the edge, that is just how cutting works. Nobody lying under that duvet will ever notice. Take your time, it's not a race.
Want the bold side showing? Run the Onion Rings on top. Want a calmer bed that day? Flip it over. Completely up to you. Super duper easy way to change a room.
Thanks for sewing along with me today, y'all. If I can do this, y'all can do it. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Black And White Onion Rings Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
